What do the children and teachers say?: Voices on gender stereotyping in children's literature for Malaysian ESL classrooms

Abstract This preliminary study analyses children's and teachers' views towards gender stereotyping in children's literature for Malaysian ESL (English as a Second Language) classrooms. We employed focus groups with 14 children (aged 10–12) and interviews with 6 experienced ESL teachers, in which children and teachers reflected on selected literature taught in schools. Our findings suggested that both children and teachers overlooked gender stereotyping in the selected children's literature as they focused more on the storyline and moral values. However, our focus groups with children showed their potential in adapting the reading materials to their social context, despite the typical belief that young children blindly learn and accept anything presented to them. Comparison between the boys and girls also showed different gendered responses towards gender stereotyping, with the boys showing stronger support for gender equality. The children insisted that men and women are equals and suggested more active male participation in domestic settings could indicate their readiness to discuss gender‐related issues. In addition, our interviews with teachers led to their call for more reading materials that reflect gender equality. The teachers admitted to a lack of explicit discussions about gender in their current teaching/learning process and expressed their willingness to include gender discussions with their students in the future. This study hopes to give voices to Malaysian children and teachers in the Global South, highlighting their potential for agency in pedagogical review and gender advocacy in education. Context and implications Rationale for this study This study explores children's views' and teachers' strategies for addressing gender stereotyping in children's literature for Malaysian ESL classrooms. Why the new findings matter Our findings highlight the need for training for teachers and teaching/learning materials that reflect gender equality. Our findings signal children's readiness to discuss gender and the importance of teachers' role in fostering such discussions. Implications for practitioners and policy makers This study is significant for teachers and curriculum reviewers in highlighting how children's literature may influence children and foster gender equality. There is a need for support materials, training for teachers and careful selection of suitable reading materials for children in terms of cultural and gender values.